Small Players Take on Whole Foods

DEERFIELD, Ill. Small independents sometimes do a better job competing with Whole Foods Market on the strength of their perishables and organic/natural offerings than the big supermarket chains do, according to a new study. Whole Foods has achieved excellence in perishables categories, and it's been allowed to achieve a degree of differentiation from most of the chains, which have enabled its success,

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Small independents sometimes do a better job competing with Whole Foods Market on the strength of their perishables and organic/natural offerings than the big supermarket chains do, according to a new study.

“Whole Foods has achieved excellence in perishables categories, and it's been allowed to achieve a degree of differentiation from most of the chains, which have enabled its success,” said David Rogers of DSR Marketing Systems here, which issued the report